Our history

Our history

Toynbee Hall was created in 1884 by Samuel and Henrietta Barnett. Samuel was a Church of England vicar, and Henrietta was a teacher, philanthropist and social activist. Once married, they established Toynbee Hall in response to a growing realisation that enduring social change would not be achieved through the existing individualised and piecemeal approaches.

The radical vision was to create a place for future leaders to live and work as volunteers in London’s East End, bringing them face to face with poverty, and giving them the opportunity to develop practical solutions that they could take with them into national life. Many of the individuals that came to Toynbee Hall as young men and women – including Clement Attlee and William Beveridge – went on to bring about radical social change and maintain a lifelong connection with Toynbee Hall.

Today, it is as important as ever for Toynbee Hall to continue to identify emerging needs, pilot new responses and persuade local and national leaders to adopt them. We have been a catalyst for social reform in the UK for 135 years, and continue to create new ways to help those who find themselves in poverty today – whatever their age or background. But we can’t do it alone. You can help us continue to support the communities and individuals who need us.

Our new, permanent exhibition is now open

Our free exhibtion located in the newly renovated Toynbee Hall building is now open to the public every weekday between 11am and 3pm and on the 3rd weekend of every month.

Toynbee Hall: A Powerhouse for Social Change tells the stories of social action form the world’s first university settlement.

Exhibition Opening Times

Our history exhibition is open every weekday between 11am and 3pm, and on the third weekend of each month. Next weekend openings are on:

January 19th and 20th February 16th (Unfortunately, we will not be open on Sunday 17th as a result of scheduled building works.)
March 16th and 17th The exhibtion will be closed on the April weekend (20th and 21st) as it falls on Easter weekend